By Phil Kitromilides

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Jan 2, 2013 17:57:00

Phil Kitromilides believes the best value lies in backing the European Champions to win each period at 11/10 (2.10) against their struggling west London neighbours

Just a few miles separate these west London rivals geographically, but in footballing terms the gap between the reigning European champions and the side currently rooted to the bottom of the Premier League could seemingly not be greater.

Their respective results in their final matches of 2012 showed the enormous disparity between the sides; while Chelsea were coming from behind to earn a hard fought 2-1 victory at Everton, QPR were insipidly going down 3-0 at home to Liverpool.

It is little surprise then that William Hill price Chelsea as the massive odds-on favourites to win at 1/5 (1.20), while QPR are offered at 12/1 (13.00) and the draw is available at 11/2 (6.50).

This is a match the Blues should win and do so fairly comfortably. The odds on them to win outright do not appeal, yet the price of 11/10 (2.10) for them to win both halves is certainly worth consideration.

Chelsea have more than enough firepower to score in both halves, which is offered at 4/6 (1.65), yet given QPR's current form and the lack of any confidence in the side, the Blues will fancy their chances of actually winning both halves.

The R's have kept one clean sheet in their last 16 Premier League matches, and their leaky defence could well be in for a long evening at Stamford Bridge against a Chelsea side who have scored 16 goals in their last four competitive games.

For a value bet, the price of 5/1 (6.00) for David Luiz to score at any time looks to be an attractive proposition, given the Brazilian is now playing in a slightly more advanced role in midfield and scored in Chelsea's last home match.